Romagnoli: 'So happy to be with Al-Sadd finally after Lazio problems'
Quick summary
Alessio Romagnoli expressed relief and happiness after completing his move to Al-Sadd, citing issues during his time at Lazio that made the transfer necessary.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceAlessio Romagnoli has spoken out after finally completing his long-awaited transfer from Lazio to Al-Sadd. ‘We’d been talking for months about this.’
The defender had already said goodbye to the fans in January when he thought that the deal had been done, only for it to fall apart at the last minute.
LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 24: Alessio Romagnoli of SS Lazio after the Serie A match between US Lecce and SS Lazio at Stadio Via del Mare on January 24, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images) When there was no agreement, it was assumed that they would pick up the threads in the summer and secure the transfer then, but once more the situation dragged on .
The 31-year-old finally got his wish this week when completing the €3m move to Qatari side Al-Sadd, signing a lucrative contract to June 2029.
Romagnoli joins Al-Sadd at last Alessio Romagnoli wears the Al-Sadd jersey (@alsaddsc) “I was very curious, and now I am happy, as we’d been talking for months about this possibility,” said Romagnoli to the official club channels.
“The impact was very positive, it’s a beautiful city, a strong club. I am happy to be here. I had already wanted to come to Al-Sadd in January, but there were some problems with my old club.
BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 22: Alessio Romagnoli of SS Lazio celebrates a opening goal during the Coppa Italia semi-final match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images) “We had to postpone my arrival, but it was worth the wait. These were months filled with constant calls and messages, in the end we got what we had hoped for.
“I wanted to be here, Al-Sadd wanted me, and so now we’re both happy. It’s up to me now to prove myself on the field.”
رومانيولي
First words | الكلمات الأولى #السد | #AlSadd pic.twitter.com/g3ZeUf6TXt
— #83 Al Sadd SC | نادي السد (@AlsaddSC) September 4, 2026
The 31-year-old defender is a lifelong Lazio supporter, who finally got his chance to join the club as a free agent in 2022 when his contract with Milan expired.
It was strange for him being a Lazio fan when he came through the Roma youth academy, also playing for Sampdoria and Milan.
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What happened
Alessio Romagnoli has spoken publicly about his satisfaction at joining Qatari side Al-Sadd, framing the move as an escape from a difficult spell at Lazio. The Italian defender suggested there were unresolved problems at the Serie A club that made his departure the right decision. His arrival at Al-Sadd adds a high-profile European centre-back to the Qatar Stars League, though the underlying tone of the comments hints at tension with Lazio's management or environment.
Chance analysis
Romagnoli's comments offer a rare glimpse behind the curtain of a transfer framed as personal relief rather than sporting ambition. Leaving Lazio — a club where he was captain and a defensive cornerstone — for Al-Sadd signals that the Italian defender's motivations were largely about resetting his career after a turbulent final stretch in Serie A. For Al-Sadd, securing a player of Romagnoli's pedigree strengthens their project in Qatar, but the circumstances of the move raise questions about how the parting with Lazio was handled.
Lazio lose their experienced captain and starting centre-back, while Al-Sadd gain a high-caliber defender whose motivation appears strong after a turbulent exit from Italy.